Southampton have enjoyed an upturn in results and performances under German boss Tonda Eckert, and have one player in particular to thank in particular for the Saints’ rise up the table.
It’s been a tricky 18 months or so for Southampton, but the club finally looks to have turned a corner under German boss Eckert.
Will Still’s time at the helm came to a miserable end after the former Reims and Lens boss won just four of his 16 games in charge at St Mary’s, leaving the club in danger of slipping into yet another relegation battle.
Prior to that, neither Russell Martin nor Ivan Juric could keep Southampton afloat in the Premier League, with the Saints only narrowly avoiding Derby County’s lowest-ever points tally in the top flight.
Now, after a poor start, things are looking up for the Saints, who sit well within reach of the play-off picture as things stand, with their sights firmly set on a finish in the top six come May.
The improvement under Eckert has been evident, and the German will have one player in particular to thank for the club’s rise up the division, though he very nearly made the move to the French capital instead.
Leo Scienza joined Southampton amid interest from Paris FC
It was a hectic summer at St Mary’s, which saw numerous incomings and outgoings in both the playing squad and staff.
Still was installed as the club’s new head coach, whilst as many as 17 players left the club either for a fee, on loan, or upon the expiry of their deal, and 11 new arrivals came through the door.
The likes of Finn Azaz, Caspar Jander, Tom Fellows, Damion Downs, and Joshua Quarshire all joined Southampton alongside Brazilian winger Leo Scienza, who has arguably been the pick of the bunch.
Signed from German club Heidenheim, Scienza’s career path has been as unconventional as it is extraordinary.
Born and raised in Brazil but of Luxembourgian descent, Scienza played for various teams in his native Brazil and briefly in Uruguay before moving to Sweden aged 20, where he signed for a side in the fifth division; he was instantly a rather large fish in a small pond.
Scienza excelled and earned a move to German side Schalke, playing for their second team, before spells with Magdeburg, SSV Ulm, and then finally Heidenheim, followed before his move to the English South Coast this summer.
However, things could have been very different for Scienza, who was the subject of interest from Ligue 1 side Paris FC.
The capital outfit have long been in the shadows of their noisy neighbours and Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain, and looked to try and somewhat close the gap this summer with the acquisition of Scienza.
According to Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Paris FC submitted a €10 million (£8.7 million) offer for Scienza, though, instead of a move to the French capital, to Southampton’s luck, he chose a move to St Mary’s, where he has been a real shining light this campaign.
Tonda Eckert can secure Southampton’s Premier League return by placing emphasis on Leo Scienza
At one stage of the season, it looked as if Southampton could be relegation candidates yet again, but Eckert has done his very best to flip that script on its head, with Scienza playing a huge factor in their turnaround.
The Brazilian didn’t make his first league start until the ninth gameweek, by which point Southampton found themselves in a heap of trouble.
But since then, Scienza has been an almost ever-present in the side and their outstanding player in attack, scoring five and assisting seven this season, whilst creating the most big chances (16) in the division at this stage, as per FotMob, ahead of both Swansea City’s Josh Tymon and Stoke City’s Sorba Thomas.
The 27-year-old has also earned his side the most fouls in the league this season with 82, proving to be an incredibly tricky opponent to defend against and get the ball off.
Southampton’s ambitions of a top-six finish remain intact despite their poor start to the season, with Scienza a huge reason as to why they find themselves within a shout right now.
Eckert must continue to make Scienza their main man for the rest of the season, with the Brazilian possessing the ability to make the difference for the Saints between now and May.
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